Lace Material
A lace is made by machine or hand, lace material is a delicate and beautiful textile, which has a distinct open web like pattern. Lace is a beautiful decorative textile, that is in a material family of its own. It can be made from any fibre, but the most common include; cotton, wool, silk, rayon, nylon, and polyester.
Lace consists of 2 elements:
The design - this is usually a floral pattern or a group, which creates the decorative and more solid part of the material.
The ground material - this serves to hold the pattern together
Lace making can be dated as far back as the Bronze Age. Originally all lace was made by hand with bobbins or a needle. Handmade lace is one of the most complex and time-consuming textiles to produce. It requires very skilled labour; hence why it is also one of the most expensive materials.
How is it manufactured?
Lace is an open work material which consists of a network of yarns formed to create intricate, elaborate, and decorative designs. As well as being handmade in the traditional manner, or machine made, lace can also be produced with an intricate pattern scan.
It is made of fine yarns which are looped, twisted or knotted together in a variety of different lace constructions. Lace can be produced in piece form and as narrow fabric edgings. Elastane is often added for stretch and additional flexibility.
There are 2 main groups of handmade lace:
Needlepoint lace - handmade lace that has evolved from thread work and cut work techniques. These are made by embroidering complicated designs with an embroidery needle onto a material base.
Bobbin or Pillow lace – made by twisting threads around pins to form the pattern. The yarns are plaited and twisted around many pins arranged in a design on hard cushions or pillows
There is also knitted lace. This has an open mesh structure, which is like traditional lace. It can be weft or warp knitted and comes in a variety of weights.
Purposes of lace material
Laces are made in different widths for different uses. Lace material for wedding dresses has always been a popular use for the textile. This is thanks to its romantic and feminine qualities, as well as its decorative aesthetic.
Lace material for curtains is another main purpose for lace. The delicate design and transparent composition give partial privacy, while still allowing in natural light and adding decoration.
This pretty material is an important trimming, ideal for everything from clothing and accessories to home-ware. More purposes of lace are; table cloths, lace material for curtains, handkerchiefs, lingerie and clothing.
Properties
Lace material’s most distinct property is of course, the web like pattern in varying designs. Some other key properties and characteristics include: Transparency
Does not unravel
Becomes softer when washed is made up of a web like design or pattern
Some have no selvage
Does not have a grain-line
Can shrink in hot water
Most have vertical and horizontal patterns, which need to be matched Most have a one-way design
Edges can be straight or curved
Designs can be narrow or wide.
Advantages of lace material
With its delicate and decorative nature, lace material for wedding dresses is a common style choice. Wedding lace material can add elegance and personality to a dress. It can be used in a more traditional way, to create modest and classic dresses, or in contemporary ways – such as in applique, veils, and detailing, as we see on the runways.
Using lace material for curtains has many advantages. From home décor to allowing privacy without blocking out day light. There is no wonder why lace curtain fabric has been such a popular interior trend for centuries.
Another advantage of lace is that is can be used for just about any clothing pattern. From casual t-shirts to lace fabric for wedding dresses! It also makes a wonderful applique or accent fabric for lingerie and nightgowns.
Polycotton Material
Poly cotton material is a combination of both natural cotton and synthetic polyester fibres.
The fibres are woven together to create a hybrid yarn of the two. However, the percentage of polyester vs. cotton can vary greatly, depending on the use for the material. Poly cotton is normally a thin and lightweight fabric, that is surprisingly strong and durable.
A popular choice of material for clothing and bedding, poly cotton has the soft and absorbent qualities of cotton as well as the durable and easy to care for nature of polyester.
Some popular poly cotton materials include:
Boston Pique Knit – water absorbent, pique knit construct, 160gsm, mesh like, flexible
Lima Cotton Lawn – tightly woven, 145gsm, smooth, cool, durable, soft, breathable
Lima Cotton Poplin – 200gsm, tight, plain weave, water absorbent, smooth, taut
Mayfair Herringbone Weave – soft, cotton feel, tight weave, solid, matte, 269gsm
Mulmul Soft Muslin – muslin weave, super soft, strong, durable, 55gsm, woven
Panama Knit – 150gsm, woven, durable, solid, strong, taut, half panama
Cotton Sheeting – tight, plain weave, 130gsm, strong, soft face, breathable, spun yarns
Woven Canvas – tightly woven, durable, 300gsm & 500gsm, non-stretch, smooth
How is it manufactured?
Polycotton material is manufactured by combining the natural fibre cotton with the synthetic or man made fibre, polyester. The fusing of the fibres can be done at either the fibre stage or at the yarn stage. Although it results in a slightly more expensive fabric, combining them at the fibre stage tends to give a more superior quality.
Purposes of polycotton material
The purpose of polycotton material is to create a material that has the best of both worlds – the natural breathability and beauty of cotton and the durability and longevity of polyester. Mixing the two fibres can utilise the properties of differing strengths, dyeability, breathability and more. Cotton can be added to polyester to help give the polyester more of a moisture wicking finish, and polyester can be added to cotton to give it more durability and flexibility.
By creating a poly cotton material hybrid, you will get a material that has the advantages of both fibres; tough, durable, breathable, soft, and affordable.
Properties
The blend of cotton and polyester fibres have a wealth of properties, that makes them a popular choice for many end uses, in particular clothing and bedding. Some common properties of poly cotton include:
Wrinkle resistant
Strong and durable
Breathable
Can be ironed
Shrinks less than pure cotton
Retain colour
Cheaper than 100% cotton
Fade resistant
Can be washed more often
Easy to sew
Advantages of polycotton material
The blend of the two fibres is created to afford the advantages of both the cotton and the poly fibres into one material. While 100% cotton is fully breathable, it can also be more expensive and not as durable as polyester. On the other side, while polyester is not at all breathable, it has brilliant durability and tends to be tear resistant. It is also a cheaper fibre. One can then see that when the two fibres are combined, they create a hybrid yarn that has all the advantages of cotton and polyester.
The final material is normally soft, comfortable, and flexible with a breathable nature. It is also tear-resistant, less prone to pilling and static, and can be made into abrasion-resistant material, such as canvas. Poly cotton is also less expensive that 100% cotton, and you can often find different ratios of the fibres, which will suit your end purpose.